The Impact of Household Chaos and Sleep Hygiene on Sleep Quality and ADHD Symptoms in Teens
Sleep is essential for overall health and well-being, especially for teenagers who are still developing physically, mentally, and emotionally. A new study presented at the SLEEP 2024 annual meeting sheds light on the important relationship between household chaos, sleep hygiene, sleep quality, and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescents.
The study, conducted by lead author Jamie Flannery, a doctoral candidate in developmental psychology at the University of Notre Dame, found that household chaos and sleep hygiene play crucial roles in the relationship between poor sleep quality and ADHD symptoms in teens. By analyzing data from 259 pairs of mothers and adolescents from across the U.S., the researchers discovered that household chaos and sleep hygiene were significant mediators of this relationship.
According to the findings of the study, teenagers aged 13 to 18 should ideally get between 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Adequate sleep is linked to various positive health outcomes, including improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health.
Flannery emphasized the importance of understanding the impact of both individual and environmental factors on sleep quality in adolescents with ADHD. While improving sleep hygiene may be helpful, it is equally important to address the stability and routine of the household, as a lack of structure can hinder the adolescent’s sleep quality.
By focusing on establishing a healthy daily routine and creating a stable environment at home, families can potentially improve sleep quality and overall well-being for adolescents with ADHD symptoms. It is crucial for both teens and their families to be aware of the influence of household chaos and sleep hygiene on sleep quality, and to make concerted efforts to address these factors.
Ultimately, this study highlights the importance of considering the broader context in which sleep difficulties may arise in adolescents with ADHD. By addressing household chaos and promoting good sleep hygiene practices, families can support better sleep quality and mitigate the impact of ADHD symptoms on overall well-being.
Results of structural equation modeling show that household chaos and sleep hygiene were significant mediators of the relationship between ADHD symptoms and poor sleep quality. The results suggest that improving the daily routine and stability of the household is an important strategy to consider when seeking to improve sleep quality in adolescents with symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
“These results begin to explicate some contextual factors that may help explain the increase in sleep difficulties observed in youth with higher symptoms of ADHD,” said lead author and co-principal investigator Jamie Flannery, who is a doctoral candidate in developmental psychology at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. “It suggests that when ADHD symptoms are high, aspects of the individual — poor sleep hygiene — and the familial environment — household chaos — are associated with poor sleep quality in adolescents.”
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that teenagers 13 to 18 years of age should sleep 8 to 10 hours. Healthy sleep is associated with better health outcomes including: improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health.
The researchers collected data from 259 pairs of mothers and adolescents from across the U.S. Mothers used a scale to rate the severity of their adolescent’s ADHD symptoms, while adolescents completed three separate surveys about sleep quality, home environment and sleep hygiene.
Flannery noted that it’s important for adolescents and their families to know that it is more than just individual characteristics that can impact their sleep.
“While improving sleep hygiene in youths with ADHD may be beneficial, a household characterized by a lack of structure, routine and stability may undermine the adolescent’s sleep quality,” Flannery said.
